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Shakur Stevenson supports Zuffa’s one-lane vision, but it could lead to a more hard path

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Image: Shakur Stevenson Backs Zuffa's One-Belt Vision, But It Could Lead To A Harder Road

“I think people are so unaware that they don’t even understand that for me, just like with Zuffa, they have one lane, one lane only. How wouldn’t that facilitate pristine up the boxing?” Shakur told the Daily Mail. “It would be very helpful for the sport of boxing.”

Shakur also criticized the current landscape, which includes WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO champions.

“If we have four different belt organizations, the fans will complain that this champion is not fighting this champion, this champion is not fighting, and this is mandatory. It becomes a whole clown show,” Shakur said.

The WBO welterweight champion’s comments are noteworthy because his own path to the 140-pound title was governed by the current system.

After moving up from lightweight, Shakur challenged Teofimo Lopez for the WBO title without first fighting many of the division’s top contenders. A single-belt structure built around the rankings would likely require fighters to advance through a contender’s ladder before receiving a title shot.

If boxing were to adopt a true one-belt model, Shakur could find himself in a position to earn a championship shot against the likes of Ernesto Mercado, Andy Hiraoka, Gary Antuanne Russell, Alberto Puello, Dalton Smith and Oscar Duarte.

Each one presents a different challenge. Mercado has become one of the hardest hitters in the division while also displaying impressive hand speed. Hiraoka provides size and power. Russell is considered one of the most aggressive pressure fighters in the division. Smith, Puello and Duarte have established themselves as legitimate contenders.

The same problem would exist if Shakur returned to lightweight. Floyd Schofield, Gervonta Davis, Andy Cruz, Raymond Muratalla and William Zepeda would likely be in the title race.

Zepeda’s pressure caused hard moments in his fight against Shakur last year, raising questions about how the single-belt system will affect fighters who currently have multiple paths to a championship shot.

Still, Stevenson remains confident that the single-lane design will improve boxing.

“I think everyone will fight each other like this,” Shakur said.

The question is whether Stevenson would face a deeper and more unsafe path in the system he supports than the one that helped him win the 135- and 140-pound titles.

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KO Artist Who Fought Canelo Aims for Chris Eubank Jr Showdown in Boxing News

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"KO Artist Who Fought Canelo Aims for Chris Eubank Jr Showdown in Boxing News"

Chris Eubank Jr has not fought since his underwhelming rematch with Conor Benn, but the 36-year-old is now being targeted by a fierce knockout artist, who is willing to travel to London for the opportunity to face him.

Eubank scored an iconic win over Benn last April but when they rematched seven months later, he felt the full effects of a brutal weight cut, narrowly avoiding a stoppage defeat as he survived until the final bell on unsteady legs only to lose a wide unanimous decision.

Since then, the Hove-born contender has been advised to move up in weight and return to the super-middleweight scene, but he has also been linked to a catchweight clash with Michael Zerafa in Australia – a bout which would take place at 164lbs.

New York’s Edgar Berlanga has now thrown his hat into the ring though, after revealing on ‘The Last Stand’ podcast about his intentions to face Eubank before the end of the year.

“I would love to step into the ring to end the year with Chris Eubank Jr. I feel like that fight is going to be a big fight in London.

“I told Keith [Connolly]I said that I would rather not do it out here in America. I would rather go to London, where he is from [U.K.]you know what I am saying? We can make a big, big fight happen. He is on the radar.”

Berlanga’s most high profile fight came back in 2024 when he challenged Canelo Alvarez for his unified super-middleweight crown, suffering a unanimous decision defeat, one of two losses in his career after also coming up short against Hamzah Sheeraz.

He has since signed with Zuffa Boxing and in his debut with the company on Sunday he knocked Steven Butler out after seven rounds, recovering from a second-round knockdown to earn the 19th stoppage victory of his career.

In an interview with The RingBerlanga has now doubled down on his call-out of Eubank, hoping he can convince the Briton to swerve the Zerafa fight in favour of a clash on home soil.

“I’m looking forward to getting a real big fight with Chris Eubank. Let’s do it in London. It’s going to be big.”

Eubank maintains that he is currently a free agentbut it is unclear whether he is still contracted to Boxxer, with promoter Ben Shalom appearing to believe that their deal has not expired.

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Terence Crawfords Top 5 Fighters of All Time: Three Heavyweight Champions Included

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"Terence Crawford's Top 5 Fighters of All Time: Three Heavyweight Champions Included"

Terence Crawford has cemented himself amongst boxing’s all-time greats with a number of iconic wins and title triumphs. When asked to name his own top five fighters, ‘Bud’ felt three former heavyweight champions have earned their places.

Crawford made history when he dethroned Canelo Alvarez and captured the undisputed super-middleweight world title last September, becoming the first post-war three-weight undisputed titleholder.

Soon after that generational win, the Omaha switch-hitter announced his retirement from the sport, walking away with an astonishing career that consisted of 42 victories and no defeats; considered to be one of the best boxers to have hung up the gloves with an undefeated record.

On The Real Report podcast with Tony Yayo and Uncle MurdaCrawford named only one unbeaten fighter amongst his all-time top five. Instead, the 38-year-old gave props to three former heavyweight world champions: Muhammad Ali, Roy Jones Jr and Joe Louis.

“I got to put [Muhammad] Ali up there. I got to put Sugar Ray Robinson, I got to put Roy Jones Jr. in his prime. I’ve definitely got to put Floyd Mayweather in and I’ll probably put Joe Louis.”

Ali and Louis spent their entire legendary careers competing at heavyweight, while Jones Jr competed in the banner division just once, becoming the first former world middleweight champion to capture world heavyweight gold in over a century.

As for Crawford, despite announcing his decision to retire, he continues to be called out by active fighters, with Ryan Garcia becoming the latest to call for a shot at putting an end to the veteran’s unbeaten streak.

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James Dean Fury Credits Uncle Peter for Insight Ahead of Professional Boxing Debut

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"James Dean Fury Credits Uncle Peter for Insight Ahead of Professional Boxing Debut"

James Dean Fury has always loved boxing, basically since he was born, but it was only when he started training with his uncle, Peter Fury, that he really began to understand the sport.

Given his name, it is hardly surprising that the latest Fury to turn professional has been immersed in boxing for all of his 20 years.

In fact, the super-middleweight prospect tells Boxing News that he struggles to recall a time when he was involved in anything else.

“I’ve been around the sport all my life; was born and bred into it. So my first activity, as a kid, was obviously boxing.

“When I was born, my mum and dad bought me a pair of gloves and a rope – like a little boxing kit for babies – and, when I first walked into the gym, I just fell in love with it. I loved getting punched in the face and punching other people in the face.

“From around seven or eight years old, I knew this was what I wanted to do for a living. I believe God put me on this planet to fight because, when I’m not boxing, there’s nothing else for me to do.”

It is one thing developing a passion for something, like boxing, but learning how to succeed at something is another matter entirely.

Fortunately, James Dean Fury did not have to go searching far and wide for a knowledgeable teacher, yet still he needed to prove worthy of such valuable tutelage.

“When I started training with my uncle Peter at 13 years old, he really opened my eyes and gave me a clear understanding of where I want to go.

“If I sat here and told you everything I’ve learned off my uncle Peter, we’d be here till Christmas.

“But when I was about 14 years old, he tested me. He put me in a trailer [caravan]just to see if I was really dedicated. Then he took me on full-time.”

As a three-time national amateur champion and 2025 Box Cup winner, it is fair to say that James Dean Fury has proved a receptive student.

But now, the young Fury must go one step further and establish himself in the pro ranks, starting with his Boxxer debut on August 8.

Having inked a deal with Ben Shalom’s promotional outfithe will feature on the undercard of Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson 2, hoping to show fans that he possesses the indigents to win a world title.

“I’ve always been competitive – whether I’m running a race, at a school sports day or playing a board game … I want to win.

“And when it comes to fighting – something I’ve put my whole life into – please, believe me, I will win. I’ve sacrificed everything for this.”

With such competitive spirit, even the attention that comes with his family name does not seem to faze the cousin of a two-time heavyweight champion.

“Whoever you jump in the ring with, they’re going to try and take your head off. No one’s in there to have a dance with me, especially when they hear my name. We’re in the hurt game.”

It might be a cliché, but James Dean clearly does have boxing in his DNA, along with a fierce desire to reach the pinnacle of his sport.

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